Chapter 20

Decisions!

‘Er, Wondrous One!’

I looked round. A servant paused in the doorway, holding a platter of grapes and stuffed dates. How long had she been there, I wondered. And how much had she heard?

‘What is it?’ I demanded. I was really embarrassed to think anyone had heard me arguing with my friends.

‘The grapes and dates you asked for, Oh Wondrous One.’

‘I didn’t ask for any …’ I snapped, then stopped. There was no point taking my anger out on a poor servant. ‘Oh well, I feel like a snack,’ I tried to sound gracious. ‘Put them on the table.’

‘Yes, Oh Wondrous One,’ said the servant. She scuttled in and placed the platter before me, then bowed her way out.

I was so mad I stripped off my purple silk thing and shoved my tracksuit back on. Stuck up, was I? I’d show them! I didn’t need silks and gold jewels and stuff! I’d declare Narmer king without them! And there had to be some way to keep him safe from Methen and Nut without asking Phredde and Bruce for help.

I flung myself down on the bed and tried to think.

I was right, wasn’t I? I thought, plucking a grape off the platter and munching it absent-mindedly. Prince Methen really was a poisoner and Princess Nut really did feed people to her crocodiles?

Had I been too trusting? Maybe it was Fluffy who was lying and Phredde and Bruce were right! Maybe they were better judges of character than me.

Maybe Fluffy had even taken in Prince Narmer! Maybe Nut and Methen were really nice, and Nut was just fond of animals — ferocious animals — and Methen just liked cooking and everyone really had just got indigestion …

I took another grape and swallowed it thoughtfully. Okay, so I was planning to make a kid King of Egypt — and a dopey-looking kid at that. But I’d seen him when he wasn’t being dopey and even if Nut and Methen were okay, I still liked Narmer. He’d make a great king, if only I could keep him safe …

I took another grape, then put it down. I wasn’t hungry. It was all too difficult. Much too difficult. And I was so sleepy too.

I just wanted to lie down and shut my eyes and …

And when I awoke the world was dark and cold and muddy. And I was all alone.